Top of the shops awards success for Earl Shilton

Borough and county councillor Janice Richards encouraging everyone in Earl Shilton to support the entry

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Earl Shilton has been shortlisted in a new awards scheme designed to celebrate all that’s best about the British high street.

The success comes on the back of a Britain in Bloom honour - a first for the town in its debut year of competing.

Now residents and retailers are being urged to get behind the Great British High Street bid and prove just how far Earl Shilton has come from being labelled one of the borough’s most deprived areas.

Judges from the scheme are in the town on Friday so people are being reminded to put up a support poster in their window and tweet photos and messages of support.

Councillor Janice Richards, who is a member of the town team spearheading the campaign, said: “It is all happening in Earl Shilton this year. I can remember a number of years ago the problems we had in our town, with many shop windows being broken every week, shops empty, vandalism etc. Then we were classed as a deprived area so all was very depressing in Earl Shilton.

“But it just shows what can be done when communities work together, we have a very active business forum, a town council, town team, the elected borough councillors and county councillor, Community House, churches, police and members of the public all working together for the good of the community and it is working.

“Many of the shops are now filled and we had the excitement of the Britain in Bloom award on our first go. To be shortlisted so soon afterwards for the Great British High Street awards is amazing.

“I would like to say how thrilled and proud I am of all the hard work which is going into the town and it just shows it can be done.”

The awards have been created to recognise how communities are finding new and innovative ways to boost their high streets, retaining vibrancy in difficult times.

Earl Shilton was earmarked thanks to partnership working which has helped develop an area action plan supporting regeneration with initial steps being to focus events and investment around the war memorial and parks and green spaces.

The Government is committed to high streets as part of its long-term economic plan and is supporting local shops and businesses with a billion pound package of investment.

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is a real sense of momentum behind our high streets and I’m determined the hard work of people who have strived to make their high streets great places to work, shop and live is not only recognised but shared with others so they too can learn valuable tips for success.

“We have seen a lot of enthusiasm for this competition and I’ve heard first hand on my tour ofhigh streets around the country how proud people are of their streets and the value they place on them as an essential part of their community.”

The contest, being run by the Future High Street Forum, received more than 135 entries from across the UK.

More than a third of town teams – local groups set up to support their high street – entered their street.

There are seven categories – coastal, market town, city, village, local parade, town centre and London.

The entries were whittled down to a shortlist of 21 and will now be visited by a member of the judging panel which consists of key players from the forum.

A winner will then be selected for each category and announced in a month or so.

People can show their support for their local high street on twitter using #GBHighSt or by visiting www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk

The winners will win a share of £50,000 prize money and receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.

This could range from one to one coaching to advice on creating business plans to workshops on digital marketing.